In truth, Yuder had a fairly good idea who “that man” the twins mentioned might be.

There weren’t exactly many individuals who could warrant such a comment in relation to movement abilities.

‘It’s just that I didn’t expect to hear them bring it up.’

He wanted to chase after the Elder twins, but if they were determined to hide, even Yuder would find it troublesome to track them down. Besides, there was still business to finish with Alik.

“Here. Take this first.”

“What is it now?”

“Research funding sent by the Commander.”

“For me...? I already felt the private lab was more than enough support...”

Alik, both flustered and delighted, opened the envelope and froze as he checked the amount.

“...This... uh... this includes the portion meant for my mentor, right?”

“I’ve already delivered his share. That’s all yours.”

“Good heavens...!”

Sweat began to bead on Alik’s forehead. Watching the young mage’s hands start to tremble, Yuder spoke with gentle clarity.

“I trust you know this isn’t just money being handed out to flatter you. The Commander believes that the Awakener control devices and new magic tools you’ve been creating are things the world genuinely needs.”

So did Yuder Aile, personally. But that part he left unsaid, hidden behind Kishiar’s name.

“Soon, he’ll be sending you materials that may assist your new research. Additional personnel will be sent to support you as well. If there’s anything else you need, you can relay your requests through them.”

“Understood...!”

“And though it seems you've already settled on movement-based Awakener tools as your current focus, I want to ask whether you’re open to examining other rare abilities too.”

“Other abilities? Whose...?”

“I can’t give details just yet.”

Yuder gave the same explanation he’d given to Tais Yulman. That an external noble with a rare ability was currently visiting the Cavalry, and that he would personally oversee the training to strengthen their power and mitigate side effects. Alik’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“The Commander believes a mage’s perspective might be useful to this individual as well, which is why Tais Yulman will be observing.”

“Then of course I’ll be going too!”

Alik clenched his fist with enthusiasm.

“Good. I’ll contact you again tonight. The training should begin around tomorrow, so keep your schedule flexible.”

“I’ll make time, no matter what. Please thank the Commander for me!”

With that, the business was settled. As Yuder rose to leave, Alik caught his sleeve.

“Wait, Yuder. Since you mentioned control devices... I don’t have anything to show you yet on the magic tool side, but I did make an improved version of the control device right after returning from the South. Since you’re already here, would you take a look?”

The amount of funding clearly worked wonders on Alik’s motivation. Before Yuder could even respond, Alik darted to a drawer and pulled out a necklace-shaped device, unraveling it in front of Yuder’s eyes.

“Could I see your hand?”

Yuder silently held out his forearm. Alik wrapped the necklace around it like a bracelet and locked the clasp. A soft hum sounded, and the air vibrated. At the same time, a shimmering white barrier surrounded Yuder’s body like a wall.

‘This is...’

Yuder raised his palm. It couldn’t pass through the light barrier. Applying a bit more force, the surface trembled as if it might shatter.

“Ah—don’t break it by force! Just use your ability. Very gently!”

Alik shouted in panic. Yuder sighed and summoned a light breeze, just enough to ruffle his hair and swirl gently around him.

—Zzzzing...

The wind hit the barrier and stopped dead.

“Perfect!”

Alik clenched his fist in triumph. Yuder studied the light wall and spoke.

“It’s like a barrier that isolates ability usage. The activation condition is different from previous devices that simply suppress power entirely... Did you draw inspiration from Renev’s ability?”

“Haha. Exactly. You figured it out right away.”

Alik gave a sheepish laugh.

“I got the idea watching him guard the prison in the South. Older control devices were designed to block energy from flowing, like mana suppressors. But if you adapt a magical barrier matrix to form a wall like this, you can control a target more effectively with less power. I thought this approach might work better for prisoners who need to be contained.”

Renev possessed the ability to nullify Awakener powers within a designated area. To create a device that mimicked such a skill was a bold idea—and if done well, undoubtedly useful.

“Is it harder to make than the old ones?”

“Not really. I don’t mean to brag, but I have a bit of a knack for barrier arrays. Heh. Even my mentor admitted that when it comes to barrier formation, there’s hardly anyone in the Pearl Tower who can match me.”

Now that he mentioned it, back during their research under the Cavalry’s underground chambers to harness the Red Stone’s energy, it had been Alik who personally laid the intricate layers of sealing barriers that even regular folks couldn’t approach.

‘Let’s see how much this can withstand.’

Yuder summoned a stronger gust of wind and blasted it outward.

“Oh—if you do that...!”

Crack. Crrack.

The barrier held for a few seconds, but under the growing pressure, it fractured and shattered into ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) countless pieces.

—Boom!

Alik yelped, covering his face against the gust. Fortunately, nothing in the lab was damaged. The wind, attuned to its wielder’s intent, soon died down harmlessly.

“It’s still too weak.”

“Of course it is! It’s literally just a prototype! Oh, poor thing. Born only to die...”

Alik cradled the broken device in his hands, gently stroking the string with a pained expression. Yuder watched the round-faced, docile-looking mage and thought:

‘Honestly, I’d like to formally enlist him into the Cavalry, tie him down, and make him develop things for the rest of his life.’

In some ways, the student was far more impressive than his master. Who would’ve guessed that such talent had been hidden inside that previously unremarkable mage? It was a shame Yuder hadn’t known Alik Felgin in his previous life.

‘If I’d known then, I’d have dragged him out of the Pearl Tower myself before it collapsed and locked him up in the Cavalry’s basement.’

Alik, unaware of the thoughts hidden behind Yuder’s expressionless face, suddenly shivered and looked around.

“Huh? Why does it feel like someone just walked over my grave...”

“If you intend to use this on prisoners, a hidden, installable version would be better than the current wearable form. I’ll make a request to the Commander—bring me ten of them.”

Yuder changed the subject without missing a beat. Alik’s eyes widened.

“Ten?!”

“How long would that take?”

“Um... If I pause the project with Hin and Pin, and focus entirely on this... about a week? I’ll need to gather materials too.”

“Write a list now and give it to me. I’ll get them delivered immediately.”

Still dazed, Alik beamed like a kid who had just been praised.

“That would be incredibly helpful...”

“If you’re going to keep making things like this, there’s no need to wait for instructions. Just contact me directly.”

“Haha. I will!”

Alik quickly jotted down a list of required materials and handed it to Yuder.

“Some of these can only be found at the Pearl Tower, but my friends who recently arrived in the capital should be able to help. They’re staying nearby for a few days.”

Mages dispatched from the Pearl Tower to the capital? Yuder could guess who they were.

He recalled the mages who had sat beside the Court Mage Director when the Room of Truth was opened—some of them had been wearing pearl insignias.

“...It’s not common for the Pearl Tower to send a group to the capital. Do you know why they’re here?”

“Haven’t you guessed already? It’s because of that trial—the one that’s shaken the entire capital.”

Alik’s brow furrowed, a stark contrast to the joy he’d shown discussing magic tools.

“They kept sending letters to my mentor asking for cooperation, but he ignored them all. So they sent someone else instead. From what I heard, they were planning to make an official statement today—maybe they already did? Not sure.”

“......”

“Don’t worry. My mentor and I have kept to our promise with the Cavalry Commander—we’ve almost completely cut off outside contact. Other mages with stronger ties to the elite are in an uproar, but... that’s not our problem!”

The young mage grinned.

“Still, if you or the Commander ever need something, I can introduce you to those dispatched mages. A lot of them were apparently very impressed by the announcements about ‘Yuder No. 1 and 2’—if you reached out, they’d—”

“Enough.”

Yuder left the lab without waiting for the rest.